Apparatus for producing and dispensing soapy solutions



:Nov. 8, 1938. J. G; DONALDSON 2,135,969:

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING AND DISPENSING SOAPY SOLUTIONS Filed Jan. 26. 1938 INVENTOR.

Juseph v Dclnaldanry ATTORNEY.

Patented Nov. 8, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING AND DIS- ransmo SOAPY SOLUTIONS Joseph G. Donaldson, Brentwood Heights, Calif. Application January 2c, 1938, Serial No. 137,011

2 Claims. .(Cl. 299-414) "oFFicE clean water or as olution of water and soap This invention relates to cleansing apparatus,

. capable of performing cleaning functions without the need for manual handling oi the article bein operated upon during the cleaning operation.

5 The usual procedure in washing dishes and kitchen utensils isessentially amanual one. The articles mustbe handledintheprocess of removing the matter adhering thereto; causing contact or immersion of the hands with the cleansing agent and hot water, producing deleterious efiects on the person's hands in the nature of redness, chapping, etc. To prevent or diminish such effects mild forms of soap are" used, having a materially lesser cleansing action than stronger soaps, which are preferably desirable not only because oftheir more eil'lcient cleansing action but also because (if their relatively low cost. Moreover, because of the need for immersion of the hands the temperature of the water is necessarily low, making it more diflicult for the soapy solution being used to cut the grease from the articles being cleaned. As a result a vigorous rubbing action must be peri formed upon, the articles with a cloth, and inmany instances the adherence ofthe grease or 2 irt is so strong as to necessitate the use of metalic pads. Even so, the quantity of energy necessary in the performance of an eflective cleaning operation is beyond the ability of most'persons, particularly women.

A further disadvantage of the usual mode of cleaning dishes and kitchen utensils lies in the fact, that as the washing operation proceeds the cleaning fluid becomes progressivelymixed with grease and waste matter, making washing increasingly diflicult. One possible manner of overcoming this latter drawback is to change the washing fluid frequently, but this obviously wastes cleaning agents and water. which in commercial establishments is an important item of expense.

Accordingly, it becomes an object of this invention to provide an improved washing appara- "tus, particularly useful in connection with the cleansing of articles such as dishes: and kitchen utensils.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of an apparatus the use of which eliminates the need for manually handling articles during cleaning thereof, this making possible the I u use of very hot water and relatively inexpensive soaps to produce a very efllcient cleaning of the articles at a minimum of expense. I A. further object of the invention is to provide a cleaning apparatus capable of dispensing either various degrees of concentration, depending upon the will of the operator.

Another object of the invention is the'provision of a cleaning apparatus whichcan selectively dispense either a solution of water and soap or clean 5 water, and which will prevent commingling of the soap and water when the latter condition is desired.

A still further object of'the invention is to provide an apparatus capable of dispensing a sudsy l0 cleaning substance at a high velocity.

A further object of the invention lies in obtaining a soapy solution which is admixedwith, and agitated by, a fluid stream and in then dispensing the admixture in the form of suds is- 15 suing at a relatively high velocity.

It is still another object of the invention to provide an apparatus embodying a removable con-v tainer for cleaning agents, which will prevent solid particles of said agents from clogging parts 0 of the apparatus, while at the same time permitting effective solution of the agents in a fluid moving relative thereto and in contact therewith.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made 25 more easily apparent from a consideration of one embodiment of the invention. v For this purpose there is shown a form in the drawing accompanying and forming part of the present specification. This form will now be described in 30 detail, illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that this detailed description is not to'be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 35

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of the apparatus, portions of which are shown in section.

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view taken as indicated by line 2-2 of Figure 1, and l 40 Figure 3 is a sectional view on a slightly enlarged scale, taken as indicated byline \3--3 of Figurel.

In its general aspects the present invention contemplates the provision of a receptacle for 3, containing a cleaning agent soluble in a fluid, the fluid flow being divided, with one part acting directly upon the cleaning agent to place it in solution, which is then acted upon by the other part, for diluting the solution and agitating the same so that a high degree ofsuds at ahigh velocity will be obtainable at the. dispensing end of the apparatus.

More specifically, the particular embodiment of the invention disclosed in the drawing includes a supporting base It carrying the essential operating portions of the apparatus. To this end, the base is provided with a chamber whose upper end threadedly receives a nipple |2 carrying a housing l3 which functions to enclose a valve mechanism hereinafter described. The upper end of the valve housing threadedly receives a reducer fitting H which in turn threadedly receives a hollow stem l5 connected with the lower end of a chamber I6 adapted to contain a cleaning agent.

For the purpose of dissolving the cleaning agent a fluid is conveyed from a g nvenient source of supply (not shown) and is caused to pass-through a conduit threadedly connected to the base and communicating with the chamber Part of thefluid passes from the conduit l1 into the chamber II and through a nipple I8 threadedly connected with the base it. The other end of the nipple l8 threadedly receives a nozzle [9 having a reduced discharge orifice 20 for the purposeloi diminishing the flow. of fluid from the nipple and nozzle, while at the same time discharging fluid at an increased velocity into a mixing chamber 2| which is threadedly connected with the nozzle l8 and' which is provided for a purpose hereinafter fully described.

That part, of the fluid which does not pass through the nozzle moves upwardly from the cinity of the discharge orifice 20 of the nozzle IS. The conduit 24 includes tubular sections 25 and 26, the section 25 connecting the valve inlet with the container outlet 23 through the elbow 21, while the section 26 connects the valve outlet with the mixing chamber 2| through the reducer fitting 28. The nozzle is is preferably providedwith a shoulder 29 abutting against the end of themixing chamber 2| so as to position the reduced portion of the nozzle with respect to the soapy solution entering said mixing chamber.

By the arrangement described, only a portion of the fluid functions to' dissolve the cleaning agent in the container l6. In eflect, this fluid may be termed primary" fluid and the solution produced thereby can be mixed in the mixing chamber 2| with the "secondary" fluid issuing from the nozzle. An" efilcient mixture will be produced by properly positioning the nozzle with respect to the inlet of the soapy solution into the mixing chamber 2|, since such positioning will provide an eflectlve aspirating eflect upon the soapy'solution. drawing it into the mixing chamber at an increased velocity and mixing and agitating it with the secondary fluid to further dissolve and dilute the soapy solution. Of course,

agitation and dilution would also occur it the nozzle were omitted, but it'is found to be desirable to incorporate it' in the apparatus due to the increased aspirating eflect produced .thereby and also because the nozzle restriction 20 causes 'a-greater rate oi flow of primary fluid through the chamber l6 containing the cleaning agent.

30 through the flexible hose ll fitted "over the discharge end of the mixing chamber. The solution will leave the perforations 32 of dispensing nozzle 30 at a high velocity and in the form of minute and multltudinous suds capable of readily removing waste matter and grease from arti- I will pass into the mixing chamber 2| and v 4 through the dispensing nozzle 30 for action upon the articles tdfbe cleaned. This latter operation willlbe required whenever, it is desired to rinse the articles. As an insurance" that onhr clean secondary fluid will be dispensed under this latter requirement, the ball 22 or the. check valve will seat upon the upper end oi! the nipple l2 and prevent drainage of the so py solution into the base chamber II from where it would be carried through the mixing chamber 2| and dispensing nozzle 30, thereby preventing rinsing oi the articles in clean liquid. The check valve 22 further possesses the advantage of maintaining the soap container 6 full of soapy solution so that a practically instantaneous supply of suds will be presented at the dispensing nozzle 20 upon reopening the manually controlled valve 33. Whenever'it is necessary to fill the container IS with a cleaning agent, or whenever it is desired to change the kind otcleaning agent used, the cover 33 normally threaded to the upper end of the'container l8 may be unscrewed and the cleaning agent either placed in the container or removed thereirom. Alter it is filled the con talner 16 may again be enclosed by replacing the cover 33. Y

The cleaning agent can be held .within the container l8 byconfining the same within a woven' or other suitablyperi'orated or pervious receptacle 34 which preferably is formed of woven wire, the mesh of which is chosen in accordance with the type of cleaning agent used. For example, the use of fine soap flakes'would necessitate the receptacle 24 being or a much finer mesh than if a solid bar of soap were used. For that matter, the receptacle need not be used at all when the soap is used in bar io'rm, inasmuch as proper dissolving or the soap in the primary fluid can takeplace. However, soap flakes require the use of a mesh receptacle to prevent the flow of fluid from moving solid particles into the conduit and valve portions oi the apparatus and thereby clog the same. The finer the soap flakesthe greater must be the mesh number used. when extremely fine flakes are used it might be necessary to contain them in a cloth bag insertible in the woven receptacle Il.

' By use of the device described it will be obvious that the omission of the need for manual- 1y handling the dishes or kitchen utensils during the cleaning operation will permit the use of .water at a much greater temperature than is i'easible in the commonly employed method oi handling and washing dishes. This enables a more rapid and eflec'tive cleaning or the articles to be performed, which eflectiveness will be added to by the high velocity sudsy solution dis-' charged from the dispensing nozzle 'and impingin: upon the articles being cleaned. The'high temperature fluid being usedpractically elimia nates the need for wipingthe articles, since re'-- moval of the spray therefrom will permitthe 1s surrounding'atmosphere to evaporate all liquid from the cleaned surfaces. Due to the ability of the present apparatus to rinse the articles solely with clean, hot, secondary water immediately following the washing of the articles in the sudsy-solution, the cleaning agent does not have" opportunity to solidify upon the surfaces of the articles, so that natural evaporation of the sec ondary fluid from said surfaces .leaves them clean and with a high degree of luster.

While the invention'has been described with particular reference to u'sein washing dishes and kitchen utensils, it will be apparent that it is applicable for other apparent uses too numerous to mention herein. 7

I claim: 1. A washing apparatus including a closed container, a fluid conduit, a by-pass leading from :said conduit and communicating with the lower end of the container, a one-way valve positioned withinsaid by-pass and permitting the fluid to .pass into the container, 9. fluid outlet positioned at the upper portion of the container, a mixing chamber communicating with the first-mentioned fluid conduit beyond. the by-pass, a conduit leading from the fluid outlet of the container to the mixing chamber, and a manually operable valvepositioned within said last-mentioned conduit, said last-mentioned valve in one position 01' adjustment permitting ready flow of fluid from the container to the mixing chamber and when in another position of adjustment cutting off flow of fluid from the container to the mixing chamber but permitting building up of pressure in the container through the bypass. i.

2. A washing. apparatus including a closed container, a fluid conduit, aby-pass leading from said conduit and communicating with an inlet portion of the container, a one-way valve positioned within said by-pass and permitting the fluid to pass into the container, a fluid outlet positioned at another portion of the container, a mixing chamber communicating with the first-mentioned fluid conduit beyond the bythe by-pass.

JOSEPH G. DONALDSON. 

